The American International School Even Yehuda

The Walworth Barbour American international school , Even Yehuda, 2008, 14,000 m2

The American International School in Israel was established some 30 years ago to cater to the educational needs of families of the diplomatic community as well as other ex-patriates living in Israel. The school grew too big for its facilities in Kfar Shmaryahu, and was redesigned on a site in Even-Yehuda. The new 73 Dunam campus consists of seven different buildings: the Elementary, Middle and High school buildings, Library, Arts building with auditorium, Gym, and Cafeteria. The grounds include football and baseball fields, basketball courts, tennis courts and a pool – all the facilities needed to educate students from kindergarten to twelfth grade. The focal point of the project is a spacious central courtyard with trees, grass, water and shaded walkways. All pedestrian traffic meets at this central courtyard, making it the living, green heart of the school. There are no corridors, all communication is by open covered ways providing protection against rain and sun. The buildings are dominated by large, tiled roofs like the wings of a stealth plane creating shaded outdoor spaces for kids to enjoy. This feature also shades the windows and allows natural cross ventilation for the classes. The overall skyline of the campus is kept low and unobtrusive in the landscape.